This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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More graduates choose to stay in Scotland
04/10/2006
A record number of graduates from Scottish higher education institutions are finding work in Scotland, according to the latest statistics on graduations from universities and colleges.
Higher Education Graduates and Graduate Destinations 2004-05 reveals that more graduates than ever before successfully completed a first degree or postgraduate course in Scotland.
And 80 per cent of respondents who gained permanent employment after qualifying in 2004-05 went into a job in Scotland.
Lifelong Learning Minister Nicol Stephen said:
"Scotland's colleges and universities have earned a worldwide reputation for excellence in teaching and research. Today's statistics clearly show that our higher education institutions are going from strength to strength. We are now producing a record number of graduates, not only from Scotland but also from Europe and the rest of the world.
"Today's statistics paint a very healthy picture of our universities. There are now more Scottish based graduates than ever and an increase of 20 per cent in the number of foreign domiciled graduates.
"Eighty per cent of those graduates from Scottish universities are now finding work in Scotland - evidence that Scotland is now regarded not just as a fantastic place to learn but a fantastic place to live, a fantastic place to work.
"We are making record levels of investment in our universities - our annual investment will rise to over #1 billion next year. This demonstrates our clear commitment to the further development of the excellence of our universities, to relevant, high quality learning opportunities for Scotland's learners, and to the promotion of Scotland."